MUSCAT: With the new school year beginning in the Sultanate of Oman and students returning to their classrooms with optimism and hope for a successful year, challenges inevitably arise.
Daily congestion in schools, buses and classrooms raises health concerns, making it essential to remind parents and students of the importance of adhering to preventive measures to ensure a safe and healthy learning environment.
From the first day, the Ministry of Health has directed messages to parents through its awareness campaign "Protect Your Children and the School Community," emphasising that the true investment in children begins with their health. Instilling healthy habits not only ensures their safety but also protects the entire community from the spread of infectious diseases.
The campaign highlighted several daily practices that students must adopt, from strengthening their immunity with a nutritious breakfast to regularly washing hands with soap and water or using sanitisers. These simple steps serve as the first line of defence against infections. The campaign also emphasised teaching children proper cough and sneeze etiquette by using tissues or their elbow, and avoiding sharing school and personal belongings, which can quickly spread disease.
Speaking to Oman Observer, Shaikha al Raisi, a parent of a fourth-grade student, said: "I always remind my daughter to wash her hands regularly and not share her belongings with classmates. Health is not something to be taken lightly, and I believe instilling these behaviours from a young age makes them part of their daily routine." She added that parents must monitor their children constantly and refrain from sending them to school if they show symptoms of illness, for their own protection and that of others.
Dr Mona al Kaabi, an emergency physician, stressed that awareness is the strongest weapon against seasonal diseases that typically spread at the beginning of the school year. She explained that raising awareness among students helps reduce infection rates and prevents wider outbreaks. "The school is not just a place for learning; it is a space where everyone shares daily life. The higher the level of awareness within the school community, the greater the level of protection," she said.
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